PC / Mac

Halo Reach : Finish the Fight
GamingGame PassGame ReviewsPC / MacXbox One

Halo Reach (PC): Finishing the fight on a new platform

Gerard Campbell 1433 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

There’s no denying that Gregorian chants are a cornerstone of the Halo series. They’re unmistakable identifiers for the Master Chief and the fight against the alien covenant. Halo Reach is no exception.

So when the Gregorian chants fired up on the menu screen of the PC version, it brought a smile to both my face – and my ears (if my ears could smile, that is).

I’m not the world’s greatest Halo fan but I’ve played them all. Reach was always at the top of my list as my favourite of the series. Maybe it was because the story told of the close-knit camaraderie between the six members of Noble team. Cat, Emile, Jorge, Jun, Carter and Spartan B-312 (that’s you, by the way). As they take the fight to the covenant on the planet Reach, or maybe it was because Reach wasn’t about Master Chief. Whatever it was, Reach just resonated with me.

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Don't Die Minerva - Feature
GamingGame ReviewsIndie GamePC / MacPS4Xbox One

Don’t Die, Minerva! Review (Xbox One X)

Barrie Clarke 1277 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Every second game I have played recently seems to be a rogue-like or have rogue-like elements in them.

Thankfully, unlike the rest of the team, I am not adverse to this as I quite like the format and play style that rogue-likes fall into. That is not to say I don’t throw the odd controller in frustration at my 145th death in 3 minutes.

I have just learnt to throw it gently onto the couch beside me. But with a little Luigi flair this could be fun to play.

Don’t Die, Minerva! looks really nice and plays well. Although there isn’t a huge variety in what you are doing and where you are doing it, it maintains that, just one more run, feel you expect from a good rogue-like.

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ESPIRE1 VR: Stealth Operative
PC / MacFeature ArticleGamingPSVR

Espire 1: VR Operative, Hands On

Richard Armitt 1405 Views ,  ,  , 

A blur of a few weeks ago at PAX I go to go hands-on with Espire1: VR Operative from Digital Lode. On that day the release had been pushed back to a loose ‘pre-xmas’. It felt appropriate to hold back until a day like today, when the launch date was finally announced.

And that Release Date is THIS WEEK! Yes, THIS WEEK!

The game has been described as a Stealth VR Shooter, Guy has been dribbling over it for months because to him, it’s Splinter Cell VR. Either way Espire 1: VR will certainly tick some boxes.

Espire1 has been put together by a passionate and driven micro team of developers. The game ‘feels’ like a release from a much bigger studio and deserves some attention. I can only hope the install base on the PSVR gives it a strong showing. I for one will be leaping into an Espire unit this weekend. To stealth, shoot, scan, climb and hack my way out of trouble.

Espire1: VR Operative – it’s VR Splinter Cell, what could go wrong?

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A logo for PAXAus 2019
GamingFeature ArticleGame NewsHardwareIndie GameiOSNintendoPC / MacPS4PSNetworkPSVRSwitch ConsoleXbox One

PAXAus 2019, being there and slightly square

Richard Armitt 1515 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

After all the build up and fervour PAXAus 2019 has been and gone. It was a first visit for me, probably not the last, but my old bones are currently arguing against it. Having become something of a big hitter on the gaming calendar I was keen to see this year what all the fuss was about.

As an eclectic gathering of Gaming, Pop Culture and Cosplay it does the job well, and you can see from the eyes of the consumer that wanders the floors glassy eyed that they are getting all the shiny things they need. I enjoyed the relative tranquility of the table-top game area and retro section, it was a relief from the pressing crowds squeezing through the aisles.

The main event was loud, brash and exhausting, especially when I flew in for a single day with a maximum of six hours on the ground.

But, that’s me, at PAXAus 2019, being there and slightly square.

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GamingByte Size ReviewIndie GamePC / MacPS4Xbox One

Children of Morta Review (Xbox One X)

Barrie Clarke 1375 Views ,  ,  , 

Meet the Bergsons, the Children of Morta. John, Linda, Kevin, Mark, Lucy, and Joey. Good, solid hero names if ever there was. Living in the shadow of Mount Morta and entrusted with its protection, life has been pretty good for the Bergsons. Until an evil corruption takes hold with in the mountain.

Now it is time to take up arms and save the sacred mountain they call home.

When it comes to games, I don’t mind rogue-likes, talk to @nzbrowncoat and you might just get a different response. So thankfully for him, I have Children of Morta from Dead Mage Inc. to review and he doesn’t.

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GamingGame ReviewsPC / Mac

Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones Review (PC)

Barrie Clarke 1558 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Before getting into modern console gaming I grew up playing cRPG’s like Baldurs Gate, Fallout, Planescape Torment, and Arcanum on the PC.

The play style and isometric view point used in these classics are attributes I hold dear to my heart. So when Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones appeared on the scene, it definitely got my interest. So much so, it made moving back into the office chair from the couch very easy.

But first, a big warning. This is a game for adults. And even some adults may find some of the content offensive. Trust me, I am not easily offended but one conversation with a prostitute even had me taken back.

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Greedfall
GamingGame ReviewsPC / MacPS4Xbox One

Greedfall: Colonialism in the New World

Gerard Campbell 1517 Views ,  ,  , 

When it comes to games from publisher Focus Interactive, you sometimes expect things to be a little rough around the edges. Greedfall is no exception, an action RPG set in the 17th Century where colonialism is spreading through the new world.

Sure, it’s a little rough around the edges, but it does have charm that grows on you as you progress.

I guess Greedfall could best be likened to a game like CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher series. Where combat and diplomacy play key roles as you explore towns and other locations in the New World of Ter Fradee. Discovering its secrets – and the cure for a strange affliction called the malichor.

Players control diplomat De Sardet, an emissary of the congregation of merchants. He’s a likeable chap, if I’m being honest, with a cheeky charm and attitude that is instantly endearing.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS4Xbox One

The Church in the Darkness, PS4 Review

Guy 1452 Views ,  ,  , 

This game finds its inspirations from these very 1970s type cults. The setting being that of the ‘Collective Justice Mission’ cult and its fanatical leaders Issac and Rebecca Walker.

They have moved their flock to South America to avoid the constant gaze of the FBI back in the USA. I played as Vic, an ex-cop tasked to go down to South America and bring home a brainwashed youngster, Alex.

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